Volleyball Lady Jackets open with win over Sesser-Valier-Waltonville
The Chester High School Lady YellowJackets opened the 2018 season with a 2-set win over Black Diamond rival, Sesser-Valier-Waltonville on Aug. 25.
The Lady Jackets had control of the court throughout most of the two sets against the Lady Red Devils. At one point, CHS led as much as 24-13 in the first set and appeared to be en route to a smooth finish. But the Red Devils made a huge run and came with two points, 24-22, late in the set.
Sophomore Reese Chandler then took over and served CHS to victory in a hard fought win. Chandler came on strong in the second set behind the serving line and got Chester in a good position early helped the Lady Jackets secure a victory in the second set, 25-14.
For the match, senior Carlee Weir recorded an ace, two kills and 11 assists; Reese Chandler had six aces and three kills; junior Lauren Vasquez added an ace and four kills; junior Grace Stec had four kills; sophomore Lauren Soellner contributed two kills; and sophomore Josie Kattenbraker had four digs in the Lady Jacket win.
The JV squad lost in two sets, 11-25 and 22-25. The girls had a rough start and never really seemed to get into a groove until late in the second set. It became a real battle toward the end of the second set but it was unfortunately too little too late for the JV.
The JV squad included Reese Chandler, Kayla Bert, Avery Runge, Juliette Abernathy, Kendall Williams, Peyton Clendenin, Kylie Fortner, Audrey Hopper, Katie Shinabargar, Josie Kattenbraker, Ashlyn Colvis, Marci Naeger, Lauren Soellner, and Alana Meyer. The JV opened the season with a 0-1 overall record and 0-1 in the BDC.
The freshman squad won its first set, 21-19 and followed with another barnburner in the second set. CHS won the final set, 21-19, and with the set win came the match win. The freshman had great enthusiasm and energy throughout the match and saw good play from Camille Schroeder, Alyssa Seymour, Anna Childs, Hannah Colvis, Kylie Fortner, Kailyn Absher, Madison Kribs, Ashlyn Colvis, and Hannah Blechle. The freshmen started their season at 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the BDC.
"We have 27 girls practicing daily and that makes it a bit difficult to choose starters when you know they are all eager to play," said Coach Sarah Norman. "I told them that we are going to use the first few matches to take stats and we will go from there.
"The girls are truly earning positions and for the most part staying positive with their roles on the team," she added.
The Jackets are a young squad with only three seniors, six juniors and 18 underclassmen, Norman said.
"They are learning leadership and skill sets every day. I am super proud of their efforts today, especially since we were missing our starting senior right side hitter, Lauren Welge due to her having to take the ACT test", she added.